Mule Deer at Great Sand Dunes National Park

A mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO, casually watches as I take his picture at sunset. Both does and bucks are a common sight in the early morning and evening; this was one of three who were foraging together. Imaged in August 2006.

the antlers grow on these guys! In some areas
where you have large concentrations of people,
they can indeed be a nuisance. But, what would
an outing to the woods be like without seeing
at least one muley???

Mule Deer occur over most of North
America WEST of the 100th meridian from 23
degrees - 60 degrees north. The eastern edge
of their usual range extends from southwestern Saskatchewan through central North & South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and west Texas. Isolated occurrences have been
reported from Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri.